74 Australian Geographic74 Australian Geographic
1
SMALL BUT
MIGHTY
Richard Smith, United Kingdom
COMMENSAL AMPHIPOD
LIVING IN SOLITARY
ASCIDIAN
I was searching for miniature pyg-
my seahorses on the reefs of West
Papua when I happened across
this tiny amphipod crustacean.
Just 0.5–1cm long, this male is
sitting at the mouth of the sea squirt
to guard the females and young
within. According to an amphipod
expert, this is likely a new species.
Raja Ampat, West Papua,
Indonesia
Nikon D800, Nikkor 105mm
macro, 1/125, f/14, ISO 100,
twin INON Z240 strobes, Subal
underwater housing, handheld
2
SPIDER ON ICE
Raoul Slater, Queensland
UNIDENTIFIED SPECIES
An overnight blizzard had knocked
a myrtle tree down onto the path of
the Enchanted Walk next to Cradle
Mountain Lodge. I was out in the
brilliant sunshine the next morning
looking for subjects for my macro
lens and came across this tiny
spider crossing a patch of snow.Enchanted Walk, Cradle Valley,
Tasmania
Canon 5D Mk II, Canon 100mm
f/2.8 L macro, 1/4000, f/3.2,
ISO 400, handheld3
THE HEAT RUN
Scott Portelli,
New South Wales
HUMPBACK WHALES,
MEGAPTERA NOVAEANGLIAE
DOLPHINS,
UNIDENTIFIED SPECIES
The heat run is the ultimate wildlife
encounter – multiple whales
competing for a female. The chase
can last for hours or even days and
males can display bubble netting,
open-mouth gulping, physical
contact, loud acoustic sounds,
and breaching. Even after 16 years
documenting humpback behaviour
in the region, it’s still truly heart-
thumping and adrenaline-
pumping action.Tonga, South Pacific
Canon 1DX Mk II, Canon
8–15mm fisheye, 1/320, f/8,
ISO 2004
EVIL COUSIN
Pete McGee,
New South Wales
CRESTED HORN SHARK,
HETERODONTUS
GALEATUS
A crested horn shark feeds on the
egg case of the related Port Jackson
shark. Each spring Port Jackson
sharks gather on shallow reefs
to breed and hide up to 10 eggs.
Crested horn sharks make the most
of the opportunity, searching the
rocky crevices for an easy meal.Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic
Reserve, Manly,
New South Wales
Sony NEX7 (mirrorless),
Sony 10–18mm, 1/160,
f/8, ISO 200, INON strobes,
Nauticam underwater housing,
handheldAnimal Habitat Animal Behaviour
Winner Runner- up Winner
Runner-
up